The 6-foot-1, 175 pound McKinstry said he was fired up to learn that a school like Notre Dame is interested in him.

“I was very happy,” McKinstry told Blue & Gold Illustrated. “Me and my dad have always talked about Notre Dame and how they do things.”

After the offer, McKinstry said he started to look further into Notre Dame and was impressed with what he’s found, particularly from the coaching staff.

“They are good people,” McKinstry explained. “They know what they’re doing and they help guys at their best.”

McKinstry said he’s also a fan of the history surrounding the Irish program, and has taken notice of the performances of former Irish players in the NFL combine this week.

"They win,” McKinstry said. “And they produce guys to the NFL.”

With the offseason in full swing, McKinstry said he fully plans on taking a trip to Notre Dame to get an up-close look the historic program.

“I would love to visit there,” McKinstry said. “I like it because of the things they done did in the past years.”

It’s early in the process for McKinstry, but the Alabama talent already holds several big-time offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, West Virginia and others.

Even though he’s from Alabama, McKinstry said he doesn’t have any favorites yet.

“Everyone’s in the same boat,” McKinstry said. “I haven’t cut my list yet and I will visit places I’ve never been before.”

As those visits start to happen, McKinstry said he’ll mostly be focusing on finding a coaching staff he can trust.

"I want to know the whole coaching staff,” McKinstry said. “I want to know who I’m going to be around for the next three or four years.”